Basketball

Gold-winning Forthsky makes Padrigao family proud

Norman Lee Benjamin Riego on May 18, 2017 06:16 PM

FLOOR LEADER. Forthsky Padrigao (jersey number 10) led the Philippines to its fourth straight sweep of the SEABA U16.

Batang Gilas reinforced their mastery over the rest of the field in the SEABA Under-16 Championship on Thursday.

Dispatching of Malaysia, their closest competition, by a score of 83-62, the Philippines finished off a fourth straight sweep of the regional tournament.

And it was just as well as these 15- and 16-year-olds have been away from their families for almost a week now. “Hindi kami nakakapag-usap, one week na. Kahit sa phone, (walang communication),” Forthsky Padrigao’s father Mhadz shared.

While they haven’t been in contact, the elder Padrigao was nothing but glad to share that he and his family didn’t miss a single game of Batang Gilas. “Araw-araw, nandito talaga kami,” he said.

That means that Mhadz was there as his family’s 15-year-old pride impressed as the Philippine national team’s undisputed floor leader. “Siyempre, masayang-masaya kami at proud na proud sa kanya,” he expressed.

Back in their hometown Zamboanga, it was Mhadz and his brother who taught Forthsky to love basketball.

While the two of them saw potential in the younger Padrigao even then, Mhadz was also quick to admit that everything that has been happening has taken them by surprise. “Dati, ‘di ko talaga in-expect na makakarating siya rito. Nung naglalaro pa siya sa Ateneo (de Zamboanga), ang liit-liit pa niya,” he shared.

He then continued, “Dito na lang talaga (sa Manila) nahasa yan.”

Averaging nine points, 6.5 assists, 4.8 steals, and 3.8 rebounds, Forthsky had the steady hands behind the steering wheel of the souped up vehicle that was Batang Gilas. Asked about how he more than lived up to the hype, he answered, “Siguro, napakita naman po namin na worthy kami. Pero sa amin naman po, ‘di namin iniisip yun.”

Indeed, more than statistics, it was his voice on and off the court that the pointman was more than happy to have brought for the Filipino youngsters. “Innate na naman po siguro sa akin yung pagiging leader. Since elementary, team captain na po ako so nadala ko lang siya rito,” he said.

Now his turn as leader of the Philippine team is over, however, Forthsky is only happy to be back together with his family. “Sabi ko lang sa kanila na miss ko na sila,” he shared right after he and the Philippines again ended the tournament as top dog.